Working on a Cruise Ship

hello everyone, just a general question. Has anyone worked on a cruise ship? i've been reading on other forums about painters getting gigs on a cruises but i haven't be able to get a replay on how they got the gigs. i used to work on Carnival as a Entertainment Technician and the whole time i was there i've never saw a face painter. Any thoughts? Thanks in advance!!

Irene S.
the pirate girl painter!

I heard it's a lot of work like you need a new brush and sponge for everyone you paint and It may not be worth it...cant remember where I read that...I think it was here...hmmmm i'll try to remember

Sixth Star allows face painters to cruise for $40 per night, and you can bring a guest. Here's the link: http://www.sixthstar.com/index.php?module=pagemaster&PAGE_user_op=view_page&PAGE_id=768&MMN_position=168:168.

No t worth it - I haven't been on a vacay in quite sometime - I'll buy more brushes and sponges.

I haven't done it, but I work with alot of cruise lines in a different capacity, so I have a decent understanding of how it works. I also know someone who has done it and this is what she said... basicly you work in the kids club area for about 2 hours a day. You end up having to pay for your cruise, but it's less than normal and that's for you and another person (I think). But when you work on a cruise ship in any capacity you are ALWAYS on... if it's formal night you have to dress up, etc. You can't be seen drunk by other guests, you have to be social and polite and happy the whole time. So even though 95% of the other cruisers have no idea who you are you have to act like they all know you work with their kids. It seems worth it if you can't afford a vacation straight up so you use this as a way to help fund it and don't care that you have to work a little and behave yourself. It might also look good to people on your "resume". It's not anything glamorous though... you become one of the few dozen things they are throwing at the kids all day to keep them entertained!

I know someone who does it & they said book during the school season if you want a vacation. You work about 2 hours a day & you can pick your hours. In school season there are very few kids(except October) so you aren't that busy. You only pay a maintenance fee($30-$40) a day & you can bring 1 guest. The painting times are not when you're in port, so you get to sight see & shop. She said she liked it & it does look good on your resume. The cleanliness issue is big & you'll have to learn to keep everything super clean. If you are doing it to make lots of $ it's probably not worth it. If you want a fun experience & vacation, it might be fun. I'm trying to figure out how to do it so my hubby & I could get a vacation.

I just filled out the application, but it says all the openings are filled for 2010 and 2011. The website says to check back weekly for changes as the website is frequently updated. Thanks for the link though. It looks like it could be fun if I could ever find an opening.

Painting on cruises seems like one of those love it or hate it things. I know 2 painters that tried it and swear never to do it again and I've read posts of others that look forward to every cruise.

I'd love to hear more about it from those that have done it.

I live in Alberta and we have extremely strict health regulations so it would just be another day painting for us. lol. Sounds awesome i am going to fill out a registration form....even if it's for 2012!!

I've been on 6 cruises as a passenger. Last cruise sucked. NEVER go on Norweigan Cruise Lines ... Horrible food, rude waiters, dirty cabin and everyone was sick... Royal Caribbean was great, we enjoyed the four crusies we took on that line, the one Princess cruise wasn't very good in comparison.

We've cruised the Caribbean, Mediterranean, Alaska, Mexican Riviera, South America, and Hawaii.

Based on what we paid for our trips this "deal" to face paint in return for paying a daily "adminstration" fee PLUS paying your own way there is not a real bargain IMO. If you live near the port, sure it would save you some money, but if you need to fly to the port it doesn't work out to be much of a deal.

Not to be a downer... just want to point it out! You are responsible for getting to the ship on your own.

That's true. We have a cruise line out of my home town, so it's the only one I'd give a try. But, if you really want a cheap cruise. Many have a last minute deal where you arrive w/ your luggage & ask if there's any openings. If there are they'll let you cruise for $100 - $200. They'd rather have someone in a cabin than have it empty. I know of some college students that do it all the time.

I have been on two, and really enjoyed it. And about behaviour, to avoid being drunk, having lout sex in the cabin and being friendly to the other passengers are not that big a request I think.

We did have to fly to get there, but with the cheap airfare prices, it costed the same as taking the train to the airport! (or maybe that just say a lot about the train prices here...)

Don't expect that because there are a few kids, you will have nothing to do. On one of them I ended up painting old (and not so old) ladies to match their evening gowns with some beautiful swirl and teardrop patterns. It was so fun seeing them in the evening. I had the same ladies each day coming back and describing their gown for the evening =)

LoneWolf wrote:, having lout sex in the cabin

Second last, if they are not referring to loud sex, I don't know?


• Enrichment Staff shall not carry or consume any illegal narcotics or drugs, except those pursuant to a program of medical care under the direct supervision of the ship's doctor.

• The consumption of alcoholic beverages aboard the vessel to the point of intoxication or to the point where such consumption could become apparent to the passengers is prohibited. This includes boarding the ship in an intoxicated state without the consent of the Captain.

• Enrichment Staff shall not sell any service or merchandise to passengers or purchase merchandise from the vessel's shops for resale.

• Enrichment Staff shall not make undue noise in his/her accommodations.

• Enrichment Staff shall not bring any firearm or other weapon onto the vessel.

I've done cruise painting with Sixth Star and it was very enjoyable, but that was before their rules changed on sponges/brushes. Mine was during Easter, I was set up near the purser's desk which was kinda odd but I didn't complain. I had just a few kids to paint each session, never more than 8-12 maybe... pretty slow. Everyone was very friendly and I'd definitely do it again under the same circumstances. I drove down to Galveston so no flight costs. This was the activities director's last trip before quitting so that may have made a difference in how lenient they were. (As in, I met her when I boarded and didn't see her again the rest of the trip.